Display device with flexible display

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a display device ( 1 ) with a device body ( 7 ), a continuous flexible display ( 2 ) and an elongated support frame configured to support the flexible display, being provided with mutually movable connected frame portions ( 3,4 ) and being hingeably connected at a first end ( 7   a ) with the device body ( 7 ) between a closed configuration for fixing the flexible display in a wrapped storage position and an open configuration. The display device ( 1 ) comprises magnetic closing means ( 8 ) being provided with a first locking part ( 9 ) being movable connected with a major part of the support frame and being capable for magnetically locking of a second end ( 3   a ) of the support frame in the closed configuration to the device body ( 7 ) and being provided with at least one unlocking member ( 12 ) enabling a manual unlocking of said second end ( 3   a ) from the device body ( 7 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to display devices with aflexible display. The present invention specifically relates to displaydevices of the kind comprising a device body, a continuous flexibledisplay, an elongated support frame configured to support the flexibledisplay, being provided with mutually movable connected frame portionsand being hingeably connected at a first end to the device body betweena closed configuration for fixing the flexible display in a wrappedstorage position with respect to the device body and an openconfiguration for fixing the flexible display in an unwrapped openposition,

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Mobile display devices, such as mobile phones or e-readers, which makeuse of flexible displays have in their storage position a compact state,for instance for transportation, previewing or phone calls. In the openposition they are in a reading/viewing state with the continuousflexible display in extended position supported by an elongated supportframe.

A number of product concepts have been developed for devices withflexible displays. One of the most important concepts is the ‘wrap’. Anexample of a ‘wrap’ concept is shown in WO 2008/054206 A2. When theflexible display is wrapped for the storage position this is done withits front side to the body. The reason is that the display is betterprotected this way when the device is not in use. In the storageposition the support frame of this ‘wrap’ type display is closed andlocked by mechanical means, requiring a special handling which inpractice, in combination with the handling for opening, is userunfriendly.

The use of closing means for a ‘wrap’ type display device applyingmagnetic force is difficult because the device design is verylightweight and flexible resulting in deformation of the frame portionswhen opening the device. Another problem is the exact position and angleof the magnet that is required for an optimal closing force. This demandfor a precise position and angle is required in order to let themagnetic fields couple most optimal with the metal or magnetic counterpart. The use of a stronger magnet to compensate for less accuracy isnot an option since this could result in the magnet erasing bank cardswhen they are close to the display device.

It is an object of the invention to create a user friendly closing,locking and opening of a ‘wrap’ type flexible display.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention the display device comprises magnetic closingmeans being provided with a first locking part being movably connectedto a major part of the support frame, said magnetic closing means beingcapable of magnetically locking a second end of the support frame in theclosed configuration to the device body and being provided with at leastone unlocking member enabling a manual unlocking of said second end ofthe support frame from the device body.

Preferably the magnetic closing means with its locking part canrelatively freely move in the closed configuration with respect to thesupport frame and as such it can find the optimal locking position,where the magnetic field of the used magnet is coupled most optimal withits static counterpart (metal or magnet) and as such is also able tocompensate for mechanical inaccuracies resulting e.g. from assembly orwear in the support frame with its movable frame portion and its hingeconnection with the device body. At the same time the at least oneunlocking member allows the user to unlock and turn the magnet away fromits counterpart so breaking the magnetic coupling and resulting inopening the support frame and the flexible display with little force. Itis noted that the magnet may be an integrated portion of the lockingpart or of the counterpart located on the device body.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention said first lockingpart is pivotably connected to the second end of the support frame, thepivot axis of the connection being located substantially parallel to thehinge axis in the connection of the first end of the support frame withthe device body.

Thus the magnet is assembled on the locking part that can relativelyfreely pivot around the pivot axis located parallel to the hinge axis inthe connection of the first end of the support frame with the devicebody to find a position where the magnetic field of the magnet iscoupled most optimal with its static counterpart (metal or magnet) alsoable to compensate for support frame assembly or other mechanicalinaccuracies.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention said firstlocking part is connected by a ball hinge with the second end of thesupport frame. The ball hinge enables that the locking part can relativefreely move in its connection with the second end of the support frameto find a position where the magnetic field of the magnet is coupledmost optimal with its static counterpart (metal or magnet). The ballhinge also enables a good compensation for support frame mechanicalinaccuracies resulting e.g. from assembly or wear.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention theunlocking member comprises a grip portion. The grip portion allows theuser to turn the magnet away from its counterpart so breaking themagnetic locking and resulting in opening the support frame with littleforce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows a schematic side view of a ‘wrap’ type device inaccordance with the invention in a position during the movement to thestorage position;

FIG. 1 b shows a detail of FIG. 1 a with a part of the magnetic closingmeans and its connection to the support frame;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of another ‘wrap’ device embodimentin accordance with the invention in the storage position;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of still another ‘wrap’ deviceembodiment in accordance with the invention in the storage position;

FIG. 4 a shows a perspective view of part of another ‘wrap’ deviceembodiment with the magnetic closing means in the closed position;

FIG. 4 b shows a schematic side view of part of the ‘wrap’ deviceembodiment of FIG. 4 a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The display device 1 schematically shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b is a‘wrap’ type device of the kind disclosed in WO 2008/054206 A2 (herewithincorporated by reference). It comprises a continuous flexible display 2and an elongated display support frame comprising two support frameportions 3, 4. These portions 3, 4 are connected via hinge parts 5, 6 ata first end 7 a with a wrap body 7 and are each structurally configuredto support a respective portion of the flexible display 2. The twosupport frame portions are movable between a closed storage position anda planar configuration with the flexible display in an open position.When the flexible display 2 is wrapped to the storage position this isdone with its front side to the body 7 and so the display is protectedwhen the device is not in use.

The device 1 is provided with magnetic closing means 8 having a firstlocking part 9 which is movable connected with a second end 3 a of thesupport frame and cooperates for locking with a counterpart 10. Via theconnection with the second end 3 a the first locking part 9 is movablewith respect to a major part of the support frame. In the shownembodiment the part 9 comprises magnetic material and the part 10 metal.Alternatively, part 9 comprises metal and part 10 magnetic material orboth parts 9 and 10 comprise magnetic material.

In the movable connection of the part 9 with the second end 3 a islocated a pivot axis 11 (FIG. 1 b) being located substantially parallelto the hinge axis in the hinge parts 5, 6 in the connection of the firstend 7 a of the support frame 3,4 with the device body 7.

Alternatively (not shown) the first locking part 9 is connected by aball hinge with the second end 3 a of the support frame.

Alternatively (not shown) the first locking part 9 is connected with thesecond end 3 a of the support frame by flexible movement dampingmaterial such as soft rubber or thinned plastic.

By the first locking part 9 the closing means 8 are capable ofmagnetically locking the second end 3 a of the support frame in theclosed configuration to the device body 7. The locking part 9 isprovided with at least one unlocking member for a manual unlocking ofthe second end 3 a from the device body. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 theunlocking member comprises a grip portion 12.

By the relatively free movable connection in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ofthe locking part 9 with the support frame by means of a pivot, a ballhinge or flexible movement damping material, at the end of the closingmovement of the support frame around the body 7 the part 9 can find itsoptimal position with respect to the static counterpart 10. This resultsin an optimal coupling closing and locking force of the magnetic closingmeans 8 and allows the use of a relatively “weak” magnet. This movableconnection is also able to compensate for mechanical inaccuraciesresulting e.g. from assembly or wear. At the same time for unlocking theconstruction of the magnetic closing means 8 allows the user to pull thegrip or hook portion 12 that turns the part 9 away from its counterpart10 in the direction of the arrow P so unlocking and breaking themagnetic coupling and resulting in opening the support frame with littleforce on the frame and the hinge parts. This little opening forceenables to apply a relatively lightweight construction of the supportframe portions 3,4 and its hinge parts 5,6. This light and flexibleconstruction of a display device is a special advantage since thisenables that, if the device falls down, the construction can absorbenergy in an effective way and may prevent damage caused by falling.

The second embodiment of the display device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is also a‘wrap’ type device. Parts that correspond with the embodiment of FIG. 1are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment theunlocking member comprises a slider 13 which is movably connected to thefirst locking part 9 by a pivot 14, extending substantially parallel tothe pivot axis 11 in the connection of the part 9 with the second end 3a of the support frame. For unlocking the second end 3 a from the devicebody 7 the slider 13 is movably guided at the frame portion 3substantially in the length direction of the device body 7 (direction ofarrow P). Due to this movement the slider 13 rotates the part 9 aroundthe pivot axis 11 in anti-clockwise direction and causes the part 9 tocome free from the part 10 thereby unlocking the second end 3 a from thedevice body 7. The slider 13 is provided with a hook portion 13 aenabling an easy manual unlocking. Preferably the slider 13 is springloaded and moves after unlocking and opening of the support frame backto its original position on the frame portion 3, thus enabling apivoting of the part 9 in clockwise direction and a good positioning ofthis part 9 for the next closing movement of the support frame.

Also the third embodiment of the display device 1 shown in FIG. 3 is a‘wrap’ type device. Parts that correspond with the embodiments of FIGS.1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this embodimentthe unlocking member comprises a slider 15 which is movable guided atthe upper side of the device body 7 substantially in the lengthdirection of the device body 7 (direction of arrow P). An upper cornerof the part 9 is located in the path of movement of the slider 15. Dueto this movement the slider 15 abuts the upper corner of the part 9,causing the part 9 to rotate around the pivot axis 11 in anti-clockwisedirection, the part 9 coming free from the part 10 thereby unlocking thesupport frame from the device body 7. The slider 15 is provided with ahook portion 15 a enabling an easy manual unlocking. Preferably theslider 15 is spring loaded and moves after unlocking and opening of thesupport frame back to its original position on the device body 7.

The fourth embodiment of the display device 1 shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 bis also a ‘wrap’ type device. Parts that correspond with the embodimentsof FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals. Inthis embodiment the first locking part is a U-shaped rim 16, neighboringa plate shaped end portion 17 of the support frame comprising the secondsupport frame end portion. Both the U-shaped rim 16 and the plate shapedend portion 17 are connected via the hinge part 5 with the frame portion4. The plate shaped end portion 17 supports a part of the flexibledisplay 2 and substitutes the function of the frame portion 3 in thepreceding embodiments. The U-shaped rim 16 is of a material, such asglass fiber reinforced plastics or aluminum, movable connected with theplate shaped end portion 17 via arms 18 extending substantially parallelto the hinges in the hinge parts 5,6. Important for the invention isthat the rim 16 is substantially more stiff than the plate shaped endportion 17. Preferably the connection between the ends of the arms 18and the rim 16 is configured with flexible movement damping material 20such as soft rubber.

Thus the rim 16 can move (semi-) independently from the plate shaped endportion 17 with the attached part of the display 2. A side of the rim 16is provided with one or more magnet(s) 19, which function is the same asthe first locking part 9 in the preceding embodiments. For locking thisfirst locking part 19 cooperates with a counterpart (not shown) locatedon the upper side of the device body 7 and together operate as magneticclosing means. By the relatively free movable connection in theembodiment of FIG. 4 of the locking part 19 with the support frame bymeans of the arms 18 at the end of the closing movement of the supportframe around the body 7 the part 19 can find its optimal position withrespect to the static counterpart. In this embodiment the unlockingmember is a grip or hook portion 21 at the side of the rim 16 locatedopposite the side provided with the magnet(s) 19. Its unlockingfunctioning is comparable with the unlocking by the grip or hook portion12 of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulationsgiven, serve the purpose of illustration only. Furthermore, othersubstitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

1. A display device comprising: a device body, a continuous flexible display, an elongated support frame configured to support the flexible display, being provided with mutually movable connected frame portions and being hingeably connected at a first end to the device body between a closed configuration for fixing the flexible display in a wrapped storage position with respect to the device body and an open configuration for fixing the flexible display in an unwrapped open position, characterized in that the display device comprises magnetic closing means being provided with a first locking part being movably connected to a major part of the support frame, said magnetic closing means being capable of magnetically locking a second end of the support frame in the closed configuration to the device body and being provided with at least one unlocking member enabling a manual unlocking of said second end of the support frame from the device body.
 2. Display device according to claim 1, wherein said first locking part is pivotably connected to the second end of the support frame, the pivot axis of the connection being located substantially parallel to the hinge axis in the connection of the first end of the support frame with the device body.
 3. Display device according to claim 1, wherein said first locking part is connected by a ball hinge with the second end of the support frame.
 4. Display device according to claim 1, said first locking part is connected to the second end of the support frame by flexible movement damping material such as soft rubber.
 5. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic closing means comprise locking parts of respectively magnetic and metal material for magnetically locking the second end of the support frame, a second of these locking parts is connected with the device body.
 6. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking member is a slider movable substantially in the length direction of the device body.
 7. Display device according to claim 6, wherein for unlocking said second end of the support frame from the device body the slider is movably connected to the first locking part.
 8. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the first locking part is located in the path of movement of the slider in the length direction of the device body enabling that during movement the slider abuts the first locking part and unlocks said second end of the support frame from the device body.
 9. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the first locking part is provided on a U-shaped rim neighboring a plate shaped end portion of the support frame, said U-shaped rim being movably connected to said plate shaped end portion.
 10. Display device according to claim 9, wherein the U-shaped rim is substantially more stiff than the plate shaped end portion.
 11. Display device according to claim 10, wherein the connection between the U-shaped rim and the plate shaped end portion is configured by arms extending substantially parallel to the hinge axis in the connection of the first end of the support frame with the device body.
 12. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking member comprises a grip portion. 